RMA: Tire Repair

Tire Repair

Knowing the difference between a proper tire repair and an improper tire repair could be critical to vehicle safety. A tire industry study showed that nearly 88 percent of the tire repairs are performed improperly. An improper tire repair could pose a safety hazard to you and your family and could also affect a tire manufacturer's warranty.

One key process in a proper tire repair is removing a tire from the wheel to inspect any damage that may occur to the inner liner of the tire.

RMA offers tire dealers and automotive repair outlets a detailed wall-chart for proper tire repairs. Among the criteria to perform a proper repair are:

Repairs are limited to the tread area only
Puncture injury cannot be greater than 1/4 inch (6mm) in diameter
Repairs must be performed by removing the tire from the rim/wheel assembly to perform a complete inspection to assess all damage that may be present
Repairs cannot overlap
A rubber stem, or plug, must be applied to fill the puncture injury and a patch must be applied to seal the inner liner. A common repair unit is a one-piece unit with a stem and patch portion. A plug by itself is an unacceptable repair

Below you will find a number of resources that can help understand the proper puncture repair procedures for your tires.

	Puncture Repair Procedures for Passenger and Light Truck Tires Wall Chart

	Puncture Repair Procedures in PDF. The information provided is the same as the RMA Puncture Repair Procedures Wall Chart but in a downloadable and more flexible format.

	Proper Tire Repair Handout Consumer friendly explanation of proper tire repair

Video: Improper Tire Repair Poses Safety Concern	Do you know the difference between a proper repair and an improper repair? Watch this video to learn about proper tire repair.

Other Useful Information

Tire Industry Association: www.tireindustry.org/training.asp

If you think you may have a tire problem or are unsure of the condition of your tires, consult a tire dealer as soon as possible.